Chicago Power tools?

[whammoed]

Harbor Freight has this 12" compound sliding mitre saw on sale for $119.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91852
I am sure that this is not the best saw out there, but for the price it caught my attention.  Even if it ended up breaking eventually I don't think I would be too upset considering a name brand one will cost 5-8 times as much.
So what do you think?  Anyone ever bought one of these or similar?
They say if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  I usually buy high quality power tools when I can but a high quality compound sliding mitre saw just isn't in the budget right now.

[DrewKaree]

That WILL work for your purposes, but I'm gonna recommend you save another $120 and buy a NICER saw.

The windings and other stuff on Chicago tools tend to be way chintzier and at times, some of their stuff comes broke from the git-go.  I have had a drill and a tub saw not work after being unpacked straight from the box.  Considering I've only bought 4 tools of theirs, that's not a good record.  EVERY tool I've ever bought that was Chicago has been because I needed a quick and SUPER CHEEP replacement. 

Others may have had luck with them, and if you want, I don't need much of a reason to drive over to Harbor Freight by me to see what it looks like in person.

[whammoed]

That WILL work for your purposes, but I'm gonna recommend you save another $120 and buy a NICER saw.

The windings and other stuff on Chicago tools tend to be way chintzier and at times, some of their stuff comes broke from the git-go.

[shmokes]

That'd be tough to pass up.  I've got a Ryobi Compound saw and that slide would be REALLY nice to have.  I can't chop anything bigger than 6", without cutting once and then flipping the board over and cutting again.

But your link says it's $180, which isn't quite as tempting an offer.

[whammoed]

That'd be tough to pass up.

[DrewKaree]

But your link says it's $180, which isn't quite as tempting an offer.

I haven't gotten a flyer this month, but if whammoed sez it's a flyer deal, that's why. 

Can't say that I saw the sliding part.  What size is the saw you currently have?  I've got a 10" that I have that problem with every so often, but my brother-in-law's 12" seems way too big.  (and SPARE me all the jokes, pervs )  I got the 10" because he had an 8" that sounds just like what you're describing.

[DrewKaree]

I did some looking around (decided to click your link) and their 10" is $99, so that's a pretty good deal compared to the smaller saw.

Looking at the saw, the table looks AWFULLY small, and the fence seems adequate for basic cuts, but any crown molding looks to be absolutely out of the question.  That dust bag is a throwaway and you should use a vac with one of those saws if at all possible anyway, so that's kind of a wash there.   It looks to have the "standard" stops covered, and seems to be a screw handle for angles. 

You can see a lot of the things that make it inexpensive, but nothing other than the fence height should cause you to rule it out if you want to take a shot on it.  I'll head down there shortly and see what gives.

[hyiu]

your deal seems like a good price for a sliding miter saw...

I got this one from amazon...
Bosch 3912 12" Compound Miter Saw, with Dust Bag and Work Clamp
it is listed as $279...

however, when I buy it... I think I found a coupon on their site...
(buy something like $300 hardware and take $50 off...)
and then I apply for the amazon.com visa... and get another $30 off...

and it turns out less than $200 (S&H included) !!!!

well... it cuts... I think about 8-10 inches... 2-3 inches shy of the sliding one... but this one is made in very good quality....
and I'm happy with it...


just want you to know my deal so that you can compare...


if you ended up buying it, plz post a review !!!


[edit] now I remember... they have $$ off, and then they have coupon for my next purchase, on top, I applied for the visa, which took another $25-30 off... that was my deal.. its a few months back [/edit]

[quarterback]

That'd be tough to pass up.

[DrewKaree]

Well, the table is really small.  Not a dinner plate size, but the next size down (salad plate?). 

The bag truly IS a throwaway bag.  The one they had on the saw had to be emptied through the hose opening - no zipper for it.  You'd make a bigger mess emptying that thing than it's worth. 

The rods used for outfeed supports are made of some not-too-sturdy material, perhaps aluminum.  I put a box of screws on one side and while it didn't flex terribly, it DID flex. 

The fence is a bit over 2 inches tall, actually higher than it looks in that pic, although DEFINITELY not for crown unless you bolt an addition to it

The handle seems closer to the blade housing than most others I've seen, but shouldn't be a problem. 

The slide didn't seem as smooth as a big manufacturer's.  Dunno why, but probably one of many reasons it's cheaper.  Might be a casting issue or just specific to that particular saw I was looking at.

The angle gauge locking mechanism seems adequate, but I'd prefer something beefier/sturdier/more "locking"-ish.

All in all, probably worth $120 to try, but I wouldn't look twice at this thing at its regular price. 

[whammoed]

Thanks Drew. 

[DrewKaree]

Thanks Drew. 

A reason to go looking at a tool store for no particular reason whatsoever?  No, thank YOU!

[lustreking]

I just bought the saw last night.